My Story
“One becomes a writer because of a passion for form. Content comes second,” is certainly not Godfried Bomans’ funniest quote. Yet the quote speaks volumes to me, because during my studies in Wageningen I devoured his collections of stories, which were both humorous and profound. I discovered them during my bachelor’s program in International Land and Water Management that I would never become an engineer. In project groups, I struggled with complex calculations and advanced software, while I really came into my own as soon as findings had to be put into words.
I was able to channel my curiosity and creativity into the university newspaper, the Resource. So for me, it was a logical step to pursue a master’s degree in Journalism in Groningen. There, I learned a lot about the craft and form. During an internship at Trouw, my background at Wageningen came in handy. At the same time, I realized that the fast-paced nature of journalism isn’t for me. I can really set myself apart when, while form is certainly important, content is truly the top priority. Although working at an engineering firm turned out to be just a bit too content-heavy.
What I really enjoy is interviewing subject matter experts and then writing up their insights clearly. An experience I’ve had as a communications specialist at VPdelta, an institution affiliated with Delft University of Technology that supports startups in the water sector. At Erasmus University Rotterdam , I discovered that it doesn’t really matter whether you’re dealing with a lawyer or a hydrologist. It’s precisely the process of bridging those gaps that puts me in my element. Still, I enjoy writing about water, for example for the Marker Wadden Knowledge and Innovation Program (KIMA). Perhaps that’s not so surprising, because when the weather is nice or when it’s freezing hard, I’d rather be out on the water.
What others say about me:
“After a really enjoyable interview, Karst wrote a great article. Many journalists then reached out to me. He gave me some good tips on what to say and what not to say during the interviews. This helped immensely. Throughout the entire ‘media storm,’ we maintained close communication, which I really appreciated. I would definitely recommend Karst!”
Milanne Galekop - Health Economist
(Radio 1 & 5, De Telegraaf, Het Parool, and AD)
“An enthusiastic science journalist with a strong network. Karst did a great job of capturing the essence of the story, and it was a pleasure to work with him.”
Stefan Barakat - Physician/researcher
(featured in Trouw, AD, and on Radio 1, among others)
“Karst has shown that he is a good listener, can pick up on the key points of a conversation, and, based on those, can write a clear and engaging piece for a broad audience. Because he believes it’s important that scientists are also satisfied with the content, he is open to feedback. Thanks in part to his news article, the key findings from my dissertation made it into the national media (newspapers and radio).”
Gijs van Campenhout - Ph.D. candidate (Volkskrant, Trouw, and Radio 1)
“After a brief conversation, Karst gained insight into the complex subject matter and turned it into a concise and easy-to-understand article. The ball started rolling, and that led to much more publicity than expected—ranging from a radio appearance to questions raised in Parliament.”
Ruth Mampuys - Ph.D. candidate at the University of
s (Featured on Radio 1 and in various trade journals)
“Karst is truly a writer and a connector through and through. He works quickly and effectively, and even a hint is enough for him to produce a strong piece. Thanks to his enthusiasm and expertise, it’s always a pleasure to work with him!”
Dorian Hill - Bufferblock
“After a pleasant conversation, Karst wrote a very readable and well-structured piece. The result was a press release about my dissertation defense that highlighted both the scientific content of my work and its social and newsworthy relevance. Several major newspapers subsequently expressed interest, which in turn led to new contacts.”
Roy Kemmers - Sociologist
(Radio 1, NRC, and Volkskrant)
“Through his interview, Karst clearly managed to translate my research into an engaging press release. Thanks to his writing and his connections with various media outlets, I was approached by national newspapers and local and national radio stations to talk about my research—something I could never have achieved on my own!”
Tim van Meurs - Ph.D. candidate at the
s (including AD, Radio 1, Volkskrant, and Rijnmond)
Clients
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